Carton assembling mechanism



June 28; 193s.'

H. K; PCWELL CARTON ASSENBLING MECHANISM I Filed July 15, 1936 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 HmlyffPou/ell,

J 28, 1 38- H. K. @522 I 2,122,044

- CARTON ASSBMBLING uacmmisu 2 Shoots-Shut 2 Filed July 16, 1936 the rim member and an inner conical-shaped I Patentedxlune 28, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,122,044 PATENT OFFICE cAa'roN ASSEMBLING MECHANISM Application July 16, 1936, Serial No. 90,858

"8Claims.

The present invention relates to mechanism for assembling elements 01' cartons or containers and refers in particular to a device for assembling the body portion of a 'flbrous container with a metallic rim member which is interlocked with the upper edge of the body portion.

In employing flexible flbrous containers for many purposes such as in the packaging of ice cream and other frozen commodities, it is desir able to provide the ends of the body portion of the container with supporting members such as metallic rims. In Patent No. 2,009,505, issued July 30, 1935, is disclosed a container o1 this type and a mechanism for assembling a bottom rim member with a body portion in such a manner as to' afford support for the same. In this container, the bottom of the body portion is inserted in a metallic rim and expanded to i'orm an interlock, the inner flange of the rim fitting about the bottom edge and extending inwardly in a horizontal manner. i

' A principal object of the present invention. is the provision of a means for mounting a metallic rim about the top of the body portion of a container of the type described, the mechanism being operable to initially contract the body portion to .get an enlarged edge portion past an inwardly I extending flange or a metallic rim and then to expand the leading edge of the body portion to 'position it in a receiving channel. I

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described having an outwardly expansible and inwardly extending guide portion combined with an outwardly expansible inner guide member.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device for mounting a metallic rim to an enlarged edge portion of a flexible container, the device including an outer and upper funnelshaped member for overriding the upper edge of guide member. I

These and other objects will be evident upon a consideration of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I Fig. 1 is a side view of the device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. .2 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is anenlarged fragmentary view partly in section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing the latch mechanism for maintaining the jaws of the device in closed position; r

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 .ofFig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showingan initial stage in the operation of the device;

1 Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 and shows an intermediate stage in the operation of the device; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a flnal stage in the operation of the device; and

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view, partly broken away, of a rim member of the type adapted to be assembled by the mechanism shown in the drawings, together with a container.

As 'shown in the drawings, the metallic rim member which it is desired toassemble with the container includes an annular vertical wall ill having a lower inwardly extending channel portion H which consists of an inwardly and upwardly turned flange, the upwardly turned portion of which is spaced apart from vertical wall Ill. The top of the vertical wall lfl is turned over to form a horizontal inwardly extending flange i2 whichis of somewhat less width than the channel member I I. That is, the upwardly turned portion of the channelmember H is spaced from the vertical wall in slightly more than the width of the flange l2. This rim is employed on containers having an edge portion of increased thickness, such a container being indicated at [3 in Fig. 9, the body portion of the container having an extra thickness along its edge portion as indicated at M. This extra thickness may consist of an annular strip of the same type of material as the body portion. In most cases it will be found desirable to provide the edge portion with extra thickness by turning over the edge of the body portion and adhesively securing it along the side walls.

The rim and container are assembled in the form shown in Fig. .8. The vertical wall In of the rim has an inside diameter substantially the same as the outside diameter of the container l3 and strip l4. The flange l2 extends inwardly a distance which is substantially equal to the width of the strip M. The height of the vertical wall I0 is substantially the same as the height'oi' the strip I4. The inside width of the channel member II is substantially the'same as the combined widths of the strip I4 and the body member l3.

'- It will be seen that when assembled the edge of the'body member is received in the channel i l stitches, or of crimping or otherwise positively engaging the rim with the body member. Customarily, the body member of the container will be composed of a flexible fibrous material such as paperboard.

The mechanism for erecting the carton is mounted on a framework l5, as shown in Fig 1;

' ward extension 43 of the frame I5.

to maintain the conical plunger IS in upwardly raised position.

Shaft 8 is pivotally attached to a downwardly depending lever 2|, the lower end of which is' secured to intermediate portion of foot lever 22. One end of lever 22 is pivotally attached to the frame structure as shown at 23 and the other end of the member 22 has a foot pedal 24. It will be seen that by depression of the foot lever 24 the rod l8 and plunger l9 may be drawn downwardly.

Mounted on top of the platform |6 is a'funnellike body portion positioning member consisting of divided sections 25. The smallest diameter of the positioning member is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the container |3 .exclusive of the strip-|4. The sections 25 are funnel shaped andtaper downwardly and inwardly, as shown in Fig. 4.. Adjacent the lower portion of the inside of the members 25 is a channel portion having an overhanging ridge 26 constituting the most restricted portion thereof and being of substantially the same diameter as the outside diameter of the body portion l3. The ridge 26 is at a height above the platform l6 suflicient to receive the metallic rim I6, and the vertical wall 21 is of substantially the same height and diameter as the outside of the rim It]. More particularly; the cut-away portion adjacent the base of the body portion receiving member is of such size as to receive the metallic rim l and to position it for assembly with the fibre container. In this position the projection 26 just overhangs the flange l 2 of the rim member. The body portion receiving member consists of two split sections 25 having backwardly extending hinge portions pivoted to a vertical pin as shown at 28 and supported by a bracket 29 secured to the platform. Each of the sections 25 is drilled adjacent the hinge 28 to provide contiguous openings 36 into which is inserted an ex pansion spring 3|. The expansion spring 3| tends to spread the sections 25 apart and stops 32 are mounted on the platform to limit their outer movement.

To the jaw of one of the sections 25 is mounted a catch 32 which is pivoted at 33. A spring 34 presses a rear extension of the catch upwardly, thereby biasing the hook portion 35 in downward position. The jaw of the other section 25 is provided with a projection 36 over which the hook 35 of catch 32 is engaged-to lock the sections 25in closed position as shown in Fig. 3.

'A front extension 31 on the hook 35 overrides an upwardly extending plunger 38 which passes through the platform IS in the manner shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of plunger 38 is provided with a pin 39 which engages a slot 40 in a lever 4|. An intermediate portion of the lever.

4| is pivotally attached as shown at 42 to a downend of lever 4| has aslot 44 engaging a pin 45 on the lever 2|. It will be seen that upon depressing the footpedal 24 the pin 45 causes one end of the lever 4| to be depressed and the other Positioned on the shelf- 48 The other end-of the lever to be raised, thereby pushing the plunger 38 upwardly and releasing the hook 35 from enga ement with the projection 33. The jaws of the member 25 thereupon are spread apart by spring 3|. When so spread apart, it is possible to place a rim member between the jaws, the latter thereafter being manually closed by contracting the jaws and engaging the 11651! 35 with the projection 36, the pedal 24 being returned to its normal upward position to permit engagement of the catch mechanism.

The conical portion of the member l6 extends upwardly above the platform It and as shown in Fig. 5 is surrounded by four expansion sections 46. The sections 46 have central surfaces shaped to fit smoothly and closely about the conical member I! so that movement of the plunger l3 upwardly will cause the expansion members to be moved outwardly in a horizontal. direction into the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each of the expansion members 46 is provided with a depressed portion 41 which provides a shelf 48. Extending from the shelf 48 is an elongated slot 43 which passes through the expansion member. is an elongated washer 56 which isshorter than the depressed portion 41. The bolts 5| extend through washers 56 and are secured to the member l6 as shown in Fig. 4, suitable spacers 52 being provided between the washers 56 and the platform |6 so that the bolts cannot clamp the expansion members. That is, the flt between the washer 50 and the shelf 48 is sufliciently loose to allow for the expansion and retraction. of the expansion units. As shown in Fig. 5, the spacer units 52 are of a diameter substantially equal to the width of slots 43, so that movement of the ,expansion units is guided thereby.

Each of the expansion units is'provided with,

an arcuate slot 53, the slots in the various expansion units being in registry. A coil spring 54 is mounted in the slots 53 and causes the expansion units to return to their normal adjacent and unexpanded position when the plunger I3 is moved downwardly.

The outer surfaces 55 of the expansion units 45 slope downwardly and outwardly from their upper surface to a point spaced above the platform li a distance substantially equal to the height of the channel portion The outer surface 55 is undercut at this height so that when the plunger I9 is in its upraised position and the units 45 are expanded, the outer surfaces 55 have a projection 56 overriding the upper edge of the channel member II as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7.

In the operation of the device the jaw sections 25 are released as by pressing down on the pedal 24. These jaw sections spread apart and a metallic rim is inserted therebetween. The spring 1 tainer to be assembled with the rim has an out-,

side diameter substantially equal to the smallest inside diameter of the guide member 25 adjacent the projection 26 and as the body portion ,is pressed downwardly within the guide member 25 the projection I4 is contracted as shown in Fig. 6.

The body portion of the container is suiliciently flexible to be reduced in its diameter and the end Fig. '7. The ends of these membersthen are. tumed outwardly and upon continued downward movement of the container are pressed into the.

channel ll. As the leading edges of the container and strip I pass into the channel member Ii and are positioned adjacent the lower portion thereof. the other edge of the strip l4 passes beneath the ridge l2 and due to the resiliency of the container the strip l4 snaps outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 8, thereby completing the assembly of the rim and body member. It will be seen that the combination of the upper inwardly sloping guide member and the lower outwardly sloping guide member causes the end of the container to be depressed inwardly around the ledge l2 and outwardly around and into the channel member ii. After the rim and container have been assembled as shown in Fig. 8 the ledge i2 prevents relative outward movement between the rim and the body portion of the container and the channel member I i prevents rela-' tive inward movement and relative lateral movement between the channel member and the body portion of the container, thereby producing van effective interlock between the rim and container without the necessityfor crimping, stapling or otherwise securing the two elements together.

After completion of the assembly in the manner described the lever 24 is depressed, thereby causing the guide members 25 to spring outwardly into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

1 the expansion members 48 being contracted to permit release of the container and rim as shown in Fig. 8. After removal of the container and rim, another rim is inserted over the expansion Joints 46 and the cycle of assembly is repeated with another body portion.

It will be evident that the structure specifically described herein for purposes of explanation may be changed in many respects without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described. means for positioning a rim member, means positioned above said rim member for flexing an edge of a container inwardly past one portion of the rim, and means positioned below and inwardly of said flexing means for thereafter expanding said edge outwardly past another portion of said rim.

2. In a device for assembling a fibrous container having an enlarged portion adjacent the edge thereof with a rim member having a ledge for engaging said enlarged portion and a channel for receiving the end of said container, means for positioning a rim membenmeans positioned above the ledge of said rim for flexing the end of said container and said enlarged portion inwardly past said ledge, and means positioned below and inwardly of said last named means for thereafter flexing the end of said container outwardly into said channel member.

3. In a device for assembling a fibrous container having an enlarged portion adjacent the edge thereof with a rim member having a ledge for engaging said enlarged portion and a channel forreceiving the end of said container, an outwardly movable guide member downpermit release of said rim.

wardly and inwardly sloping walls of sufficiently small diameter to flex the container inwardly, and

an inner expansible guide member positioned below said first named guide member. 4. In a device for assembling a fibrous container having an enlarged portion adjacent the edge thereof with a rim member having a ledge for engaging saidenlarged portion and a channel for receiving the end of said container, an outwardly movable guide member having downwardly and inwardly sloping walls of smaller diameter than the outside diameter of said rim for flexing said container inwardly beyond said ledge, and an inner expansible guide member positioned below said first named guide member and extending over the edge of said channel to flex said container outwardly into said channel, said guide members being cut away to receive a rim adjacent the ,lower portion thereof.

5. In a-device for assembling a fibrous container having an enlarged portion adjacent the edge thereof with a rim member having a ledge for engaging said enlarged portion and a channel for receiving the end of said container, means for positioning a rim member including a guide portion for flexing the end of a container inwardly beyond said ledge, said guide portion being movably positioned so as to release said rim member for assembly with the container, and an inner "guide member, for expanding the edge of said container into the channel member of said rim, said inner guide member being retractable to 6. In a device for assembling a fibrous container having an enlarged portion adjacent the edge thereof with a rim member having a ledge for engaging said enlarged portion and a channel for receiving the end of said container, comprising split outer guide Jaws having inwardly and downwardly extending portions terminating in an undercut for receipt of the upper ledge of a rim, and an inner guide member having downwardly and outwardly extending walls terminating in an undercut for receiving the channel portion of a rim member, said inner guide member being composed of a plurality of expansible and retractable portions.

7. A device for assembling a fibrous container having an enlarged portion adjacent the edge thereof with a rim member havinga ledge for engaging. said enlarged portion and a channel for receiving the end of said container, comprising inwardly movable means positioned above the ledge portion of one of said rim members for flexing the edge of a container inwardly beyond the ledge of the rim, and inwardly and outwardly movable means positioned below and inwardly of said last named means for thereafter fiexingthe edge of said container outwardly.

8. In a device for assembling a fibrous container having an enlarged portion adjacent the edge thereof with a rim member having a ledge for engaging said enlarged portion and a channel for receiving the end of saidcontainer, comprising inwardly movable means positioned above said rim member for flexing the end of the container inwardly upon relative motion between a container and a rim ,and outwardly movable means positioned belowand inwardly of said last named means for thereafter flexing the end of the container outwardly upon continued relative movement between the container and a rim.

HENRY'K. Pom 

